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Fanime 2009 overview
http://www.rarityguide.com/articles/articles/112/1/Fanime-2009-overview/Page1.html
By Douglas Shepard (Editor in Chief, RarityGuide.com)
Published on 05/27/2009
 
With RarityGuide.com attending the recently held Fanime 2009, we offer up a summary of events attended and general occurances.


Fanime 2009

There are a number of conventions a year, many with different focuses. Sometimes this makes it very hard to simply choose which one. Still, Fanime offers something that that every convention will. It is a much more laid-back atmosphere, which makes it a wonder to simply go to and enjoy. As an annual event in San Jose, it is something to go to and enjoy. This convention offers something completely different from Wondercon and Comic-con, as it is Fan-run. The atmosphere is unmistakable more relaxed and there were times it was quite hard to remain professional (a Glaceon Plush did me in for about an hour, with rampant squeeing). The convention was a display of fan-subs, artists, the dealers rooms, anime, Cos-play (Costume Play) and parodies.

While it was only a one-time event, the Taiko Drums performance at the opening ceremonies was incredibly impressive to listen to and watch. It was a seamless melding of both dance and music stemming from the traditions in Japan. While this art isn’t as old as one many assume, it draws its origins from older elements in the culture. Still, the performance was something else, with the coordination of all the performers, making it a sight to remember and a pleasure to listen to. This was something that would definitely be an excellent way to kick off this particular convention.

First to be discussed would have to be the Cos-play. While this is somewhat common at any Convention, Fanime, for me at least, is the pinnacle of Cos-play. From Friday to Sunday, there wasn’t a single moment we didn’t see someone in some costume from Anime, TV or Video Games. These costumes ranged in their choices from obscure (like Elfen Lied) to well known (Yu-Gi-Oh! and Sailor Moon). Our photographer took a great many photos of this outfits, telling people about the site so they could see the pictures later at their convenience. The quality of the costumes would vary a bit as well, some obvious that the person had taken a lot of consideration into it, with a lot of little details to rather simple and thrown together. Easily most of the pictures from the convention were just these costumes which usually were very good, even when we didn’t exactly know what it was they were Cos-playing (both the Photographer and I knew only so much).

Pokemon actually played a bit of a role in this convention as well. There was a total of 3 Pokemon one could get through the various functions of the game. They were a Mudkip, a Magikarp and a Togekiss.  The Mudkip and the Togekiss were free, the Magikarp was given away when you returned to the booth wearing their special shirt which was $20. (Look here for a picture of it).

1) A Shiny Mudkip, named HALOLZ.com, came in a Cherish Ball with a Nugget and the move-set of: Tackle, Growl, AncientPower & Ice Ball

2) Togekiss. Togekiss, came in a Cherish Ball with the Rowap Berry and the moveset: Air Slash, Wish, Nasty Plot & Aura Sphere

3) A Shiny Magikarp: Murderkarp. This dasterly fish came in a Cherish Ball with a Nugget. This nefarious fish is, in no way legal. It is wanted in every convention for its rampant murder sprees. As it is lvl. 100, this fellow has no change of evolution and must take out its rage on the world. With the moveset of Hyper Beam, Zap Cannon, Octazooka & Spacial Rend, this is not a fish to mess around with. RUN WHEN YOU SEE THIS FISH!

Artist Alley, the Dealer’s Room and the one-night Swap Meet were great places to be. Artist Alley was a place of usually wonderful artistic skill. The most defining (and simultaneously scary) picture was a Sailor Moon Deadpool. It was also in the Artist Alley that one could get the Murderkarp and Mudkip. In the Dealer’s Room, there was everything from OSTs to OVAs to complete series. There were also many good deals to be found on such things, but there were also times that taking time to investigate pricing was the better option. The Glaceon plushie was $15 at one stall and about $30 at another. There were also quite a few places one could find great deals on things like Ramune, Pocky and several other Japanese treats that were several dollars lower than most regular prices found in grocery stores not in Japanese Areas. A good number of obscure and common mangas were also available for purchase. There were only 2 stalls selling metal weapons, but they had a good variety at both locations.

The first thing shown worth talking about was the showing of Neon Genesis Evangelion: REdeath, a fan Parody of the series under the same name. Much like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, it is something that encourages Audience participation. It is always hard to put something like that simply down in words as much of it, like Rocky, comes from experience. Still, by participating, it takes something that’s silly and makes it even better. With something of a solid following, it’s a stable of the Fanime line-up that usually will play to a full room, most people knowing what it is they need to do, with a good many quickly learning just what it is that people do at what point. There are several karaoke parts in REdeath where everyone has no problem following along with the song, giving even those watching it for the first time something that they can easily do with people who’ve seen it for several years running or just a few times before with energetic friends. This is one showing at any Fanime that someone should try to attend.

The most interesting thing shown was a rare documentary that was doing exclusively in Japan, but fans got and translated into English. This was the History Of Zelda Documentary. Over the length of it, one would see the History of Zelda up to Wind Waker, overing all the official releases for the Nintendo systems (even they won’t acknowledge the CD-I games and for good reason!) talking about development of the series as a whole, getting several view points from all over the staff about what makes Zelda into Zelda. They talked about the inspiration for Zelda, citing Black Onix and Ultima. From its humble 2D top down origins to its modern 3D renderings in Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Wind Waker (and not covered, Twilight Princess). It was honestly felt that Wind Waker (Celda to some for its Cel-shading) was the next honest step in the series’ evolution. In many ways it was, offering more of the free-roaming experience that is part of Zelda (even if slower slightly by boat). As well as the importance of little things, like being able to chop up grass, break pots and hack apart signs. Always the mentality behind such games is finding what makes them fun and focusing on that. This allows for everyone else to have fun, sometimes getting the children to help the parents with the game, pointing out different options that people have at any given point to solve one problem.

There were 2 tournaments that Rarity Guide participated in, each receiving more coverage in a different article so they can be more detailed and general. While we didn’t make it to the finals, we had great conversations, good games and made a few fast friends. Attending Fanime was fun, even as a professional who was working most of the time. Many were able to learn a little about the site and what we do. It’s a fun thing to be able to attend such an event and report on it later with some reflection.





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